U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that Washington could intervene if Iranian security forces open fire on protesters, as unrest spreads across Iran in what analysts describe as the largest challenge to the country’s leadership in years.
“We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump said in a social media post. His warning follows a June strike by U.S. forces on Iranian nuclear facilities, part of a joint campaign with Israel aimed at targeting Tehran’s atomic program and military command.
In response, senior Iranian official Ali Larijani accused the U.S. of attempting to destabilize the Middle East, warning that interference in Iran’s domestic affairs would ignite regional turmoil. Iran maintains strong ties with armed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.
Authorities in western Iran, where several casualties have been reported, cautioned against further demonstrations or “illegal gatherings,” vowing firm and uncompromising action against unrest — a stance that raises fears of an escalation.
WIDESPREAD UNREST SPARKED BY ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
The protests, driven by soaring inflation and renewed economic hardship, have spread rapidly across the country’s western provinces. Clashes between demonstrators and security forces have left at least six people dead since Wednesday, according to both state-affiliated outlets and human rights groups. One of the victims was described by officials as a member of the Basij paramilitary, linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
While Iran has weathered several waves of dissent over the past decades, the worsening economy could make the government more vulnerable this time. The current unrest marks the largest mass demonstrations since 2022, when the death of a young woman in police custody sparked nationwide protests that left hundreds dead.
Verified footage obtained by Reuters shows dozens of protesters gathered outside a burning police station overnight, with gunfire echoing in the background as crowds chanted “shameless, shameless” at security forces